I had a drug addict as a friend once. Well, in fact, he wasn't using drugs when I met him (he'd start up later), but I learned a lot about how addicts work from him that has some relevancy to social media and networking.

He would talk to everyone: on an elevator with two seniors striking up a conversation; chat with someone beside him on the bus; discuss life with the garbage man; talk about religion with an evangelist on the street. The list goes on and on and on.

It was amazing.

His technique was amazing. He even was good at introducing people who he thought may like each other. I still have two friends I met because of him that I never would have met otherwise.

The reason that he did this networking, as I found out later and in a very painful way, was that he built it for when he'd need something and when he went back to using drugs, you know what he needed? Sad, but true. He came back to every person he could, manipulating and asking for money. (it was very ugly.)

The bad part of what my friend did was that he used his charm and networking abilities strictly for selfish purposes. I often wonder if my friend hadn't had a drug addiction, what amazing things he could have done.

Summary of what I learned

1. Network, network, network, no matter where you are. Just be friendly, open and learn about other people and what they do. Store the information or friend them or follow their tweets, etc. 
2. Introduce people of your network together because you think they can benefit from each other. 
3. Offer to help people in your network (except with no expectation of anything in return) 
4. When things aren't going so great (you lose a job, change careers) access your network of friends. 
5. Don't abuse your network or pressure people in it or tell them they "owe you something." 

- footnote
I hope my lost friend is finding himself. I couldn't take it anymore. He ruined so many good relationships of people who were willing to help him, but he blew it. Maybe one day he'll change. I hope so.

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